Ross Wilkers
NASA, Google and the Universities Space Research Association have acquired a quantum computer from science company D-Wave with the goal of advancing machine learning and solving computer science problems.
USRA intends for D-Wave Two to be available to the wider U.S. academic community, D-Wave said Thursday.
Lockheed Martin acquired an earlier version of a D-Wave quantum computer two years ago and has now developed its own machine to test systems.
“Three world class organizations and their research teams will use the D-Wave Two to develop real world applications and to support research from leading academic institutions,” said Vern Brownell, D-Wave CEO.
NASA has started installing D-Wave Two at its Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. and plans to have it available to researchers during the third quarter.
Researchers intend to use the D-Wave system to develop applications for machine learning, web search, speech recognition, planning, scheduling, searching for exoplanets and support operations in mission control centers.
“This joint effort shows that quantum computing has expanded beyond the theoretical realm and into the worlds of business and technology,” Brownwell added.
